I spent about two hours sitting in one restaurant. The foolish candle was melting into a puddle as I stared at my unfinished glass of wine. We were going to celebrate our third anniversary tonight. He claimed to admire the dress I wore. Even the table where we had our first date was reserved by me. He also failed to show up. No phone call. Don’t text. It was made worse by the waitress’s constant, pathetic, gentle smiles. After giving up, I paid the bill alone and went out into the icy night feeling completely empty within. The weight of…
Author: Travel
I had just put the ring on my finger when the strangeness began. My fiancé, Adrian, insisted on having a very fast wedding. Like, very quick. Courthouse, no commotion, no visitors. He is completely out of character. My cousin Sienna, who was also my purported best friend, continued offering to “help” with everything in the meantime. searching for a venue. shopping for dresses. tasting of cake. Too beneficial. It seemed as though she was attempting to control it. It was simply enthusiasm, I assured myself. Around weddings, family matters get rather crazy, don’t they? However, I discovered a hidden file…
I should have recognized that expression in Juno’s eyes. Our only plan was to take a leisurely stroll beside the river. Like it’s her full-time job, she enjoys splashing around, getting completely saturated, and shaking water all over me. As I watched her paddle wildly between the rocks, I couldn’t help but laugh. Then she stopped. Like, in whole statue mode. Pay attention. gazing at an underwater object. She submerged her entire face before I could say, “Leave it!” and then she emerged with…something. To be honest, at first I assumed it was a stick. Then I noticed its glitter.…
The conflicts had become more intense. Every minor disagreement between us, including the wedding’s color scheme, guest list, and floral arrangements, escalated into a major dispute. He no longer gave me much attention. Around him, I hardly recognized myself. I thus prepared a bag the evening before our last appointment with the planner. I promised myself that I would let everything go. No grandiose farewell. Don’t cry. Just finished. But I unintentionally knocked over the nightstand as I was zipping up my suitcase, and a tiny package slipped out from underneath. It was ancient. The margins are torn. Additionally, it…
I clearly recall my supervisor handing me the envelope without even looking me in the eye. I spent twelve years of my life with him, and he was unable to be honest with me for even five minutes. He muttered, “It’s just the economy.” “It’s nothing personal.” Nothing private. It was personal, though. I felt like my chest was collapsing as I left the building. All I could think of were the food I couldn’t afford, the rent that was due the following week, and my dad’s way of saying, “You should’ve taken the safer job.” I didn’t even bother…
It was meant to be a typical Sunday meal. The usual: cheap wine, awkward small conversation, roast chicken. This time, however, I sensed it as soon as I entered the room. That stifling quiet. It’s the kind when you know that everyone was only discussing you. I made an effort to shake it off. I sat down between my younger sister Noelle and my fiancé Elias, poured myself a drink of wine, and laughed. However, the strangeness persisted. Noelle refused to look into my eyes. Elias continued to squeeze my hand as if he were anxious. And my dad, who…
The police came up to me as I was ready to unlock my car. He brought out a picture, and at first I thought I had parked incorrectly or something. The elder man had a heavy jacket, a scruffy beard, and an almost eerie expression in his eyes. The officer said in a quiet voice, “Have you seen him around here?” And truthfully? My heart skipped a beat. Because of the achingly familiar appearance of that face. For example, not just “someone you pass on the street.” Someone from my past, more like. Someone I believed would never be seen…
One missed call was the beginning of it. It was strange coming from my boss, Darien, who never phoned outside of work. Since it wasn’t urgent, I let it go to voicemail. However, my curiosity overcame me. and my heart simply stopped when I heard it. You could clearly hear two persons bickering in the voicemail’s background. Amara is my best buddy. and Mace, my lover. arguing with me. It sounded like this, but I could hardly make it out: “If she finds out about the promotion—” “No, you fool, if she finds out about us!” My phone actually fell…
It was supposed to be a chill Saturday. Coffee, Netflix, absolutely no human interaction. But when I opened my door that morning, there was this small package sitting on my welcome mat — no signature, no knock, nothing. I didn’t even look that hard. Just grabbed it and ripped it open like a savage. Inside? A stack of legal papers. Photos. Letters. And right there, in big bold print at the top of the first page: “Notice of Investigation – Fraudulent Marriage for Citizenship.” My stomach flipped. I scrambled to check the label — and realized it wasn’t even addressed…
